California eTRM Roadmap
The California electronic Technical Reference Manual (eTRM) is an online application that serves as the repository for all statewide deemed energy efficiency (EE) measures for California. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) via Resolution E-5152 designated the eTRM as the “data source of record” for “EE measure information approved for EE planning and reporting for PY2021 and beyond.” Additional background on eTRM is available here.
Since its launch in 2019, Cal TF Staff have overseen fourteen “enhancements” to incorporate new requirements and/or functions prioritized by stakeholders. Stakeholders submit enhancement requests on a rolling basis, and Cal TF Staff facilitates an annual prioritization process to determine the enhancement schedule.
Overview
The eTRM Roadmap fosters longer-term strategic planning and multi-year initiatives to complement the annual and ad hoc feature enhancement sprints typically driven by regulatory compliance needs. The eTRM Roadmap is a living document intended to frame themes, opportunities, and gaps that guide long-term evolution of the eTRM. Roadmap topics and priorities are developed with stakeholder engagement/input and with direction from the Cal TF Policy Advisory Committee (PAC). Cal TF Staff may update the eTRM Roadmap in consultation with the Cal TF Members and PAC and as approved in Cal TF annual business plans.
eTRM Roadmap - Core Topics
Cal TF Staff presented the eTRM Roadmap Workplan and Survey Results at the TF Meeting on April 25, 2024 (see presentation) for TF Member and stakeholder input and incorporated feedback into an updated workplan for implementation as part of the 2025 Business Plan.
Below are topics published in the eTRM Roadmap:
| eTRM Roadmap Topic | Last Updated Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Security Requirements and Practices | July 14, 2025 |
| 2. Integration with External Databases and Other Applications (focus on CET/CEDARS and ESP Portfolios) | July 14, 2025 |
| 3. Software Development Standards & Guidelines | July 14, 2025 |
| 4. Data Analytics / Data Visualization | July 14, 2025 |
| 5. Governance / Oversight (to be addressed via PAC) | July 14, 2025 |
| 6. Performance, Stability, and Service Level Agreement Standards | July 14, 2025 |
| 7. Standardized Planning and Development (to be addressed in a 2025 Cal TF Whitepaper) | See 2025 Cal TF White Paper |
| 8. Support Documentation for Users and Administrators of eTRM | July 14, 2025 |
| 9. Support Documentation for Users and Administrators of Allied Systems (CEDARS/CET) | July 14, 2025 |
| 10. Modules & Features to Support Non-Traditional Users and Use Cases | July 14, 2025 |
| 11. Custom Module (for non-IOU users) (addressed as separate task in the 2025 Business Plan) | Currently in Cal TF staff review |
| 12. AI Use Cases | Currently in Cal TF staff review |
eTRM Roadmap Development & Review Process
For each topic described above, Cal TF Staff typically develops material for Cal TF Member and/or PAC input (depending on topic). A memo or other document is developed to outline the topic and describe opportunities for future enhancements, best practices, standards, or guidelines that may be applicable.
Prioritization of the initial set of topics was done with input from stakeholders and discussed with the full Cal TF. Cal TF Staff presented the initial set of Roadmap topics in the TF Meeting on July 24, 2025 (see presentation).
Business requirements for selected (priority) Roadmap topics have since been developed and used to define specific eTRM enhancements or other software development activities.
Since the eTRM Roadmap is intended to be used for long term planning, updates to existing topics and new topics are expected to be published periodically. Per the Cal TF 2026-27 Business Plan, Cal TF Staff are expected to update the eTRM Roadmap annually in response to user input, regulatory directives, and market needs.
Updated materials will be posted on this page with respective publication dates.
Contact: caltf@futee.biz